College Football Begins with Week 0 Matchups

College football is set to commence with the 2024 season, which officially begins on Saturday, August 24. The highly anticipated opener features No. 10 Florida State taking on Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland.

Subsequent games will follow, starting with Week 1 action on Thursday, August 29. The week includes a limited number of matchups, as most teams are scheduled to commence their seasons during the Labor Day weekend.

The rankings reveal the strongest teams leading into the season, with Georgia holding the top position, followed by Ohio State and Oregon. Notably, Florida State ranks tenth, a promising position coming into the new season.

Week 0 is referred to as the unofficial start of college football, featuring only a handful of games. Historically, it has included significant matchups, such as the Big Ten clash between Nebraska and Northwestern in 2022 and the renowned Notre Dame–Navy rivalry in 2023, with both contests held in Dublin.

The NCAA allows for early games through specific exceptions, including the 17.11.4.3 exception, which permits institutions scheduled to play in foreign countries to begin their seasons earlier than the typical timeline. Teams that qualify do not have to count these games as extra on their regular-season schedules.

In addition to the Florida State and Georgia Tech matchup, other games will take place during Week 0. Notable contests include Montana State at New Mexico, SMU at Nevada, and Delaware State at Hawaii. These matchups are made possible due to a separate NCAA exception for teams competing in Hawaii.